So this was my big secret (the anthology part). I did not know how many stories from my various anthos were nominated--and am especially pleased that stories from a ya anthology made the cut, along with the anthology itself.I'm proud to have my work on the same ballot as the other anthologies nominated.

Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) wrote such classic novels as The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, as well as one of the most famous short stories in the English language, “The Lottery.” Her work continues to be a major influence on writers of every kind of fiction, from the most traditional genre offerings to the most innovative literary work.

The 2011 Shirley Jackson Awards will be presented on Sunday, July 15th at Readercon 23, Conference on Imaginative Literature, in Burlington, Massachusetts. Shirley Jackson is the Memorial Guest of Honor. Readercon 23 Guests of Honor, Peter Straub and Caitlin R. Kiernan, will act as hosts.

It's not only because my anthologies and stories from them are often nominated but because invariably there's nominated material I've never heard of, let alone ever read. For example, this year's list contains the following of which I was not aware:Novel:The Reapers Are the Angels, Alden Bell (Holt)

I had a ball at Readercon, even though I crashed (very) early Saturday night, probably because I gave blood earlier in the day so missed Howard Waldrop's reading and all the parties that night. But I was up bright and early for breakfast with the Locus folk, Amelia and Liza, the Shirley Jackson Awards at which I was very pleased to accept the Award for Poe, as Best edited anthology.Here's the entire slate of winners and nominees:

The 2008 Shirley Jackson Awards winners were announced on Sunday, July 12th 2009, at Readercon 20, Conference on Imaginative Literature, in Burlington, Massachusetts. Congratulations to all the winners

This special, one-book auction to benefit the Shirley Jackson Award ends Tuesday morning 9:30 am ET so you only have 15 hours to bid. There is one bid now (minimum of $100) which is still a bargain as this rare first edition hardcover has been seen for nothing less than $200. Go Go Go...

It ends tonight at midnight, ET. I wish I could buy tix but as someone who helped put together the event I cannot. But YOU can. It's just a $1 and a dream (I know I know--winning a signed book or a partial ms by Peter Straub or Jack Ketchum is not exactly the same as winning $10 million in the NY lottery--but hey, your chances are much much better).

This is a chapbook that was created to raise funds for the Shirley Jackson Award. I've linked to Paul Tremblay's blog posting because he has a button linked to paypal, the easiest and most profitable for the organization way to buy the book. The Shirley Jackson Award website is waiting to be updated so that all this will be on the front page and blogged--when that happens I'll change the link to that. Jack Haringa Must Die! You can also order it by emailing: MerricatPublications@gmail.comor buying it at amazon: amazon link

Also, Charles Tan is conducting a series of interviews with nominees--I'll add the names of those interviewed here as they go up:Lucius Shepard about his novella "Vacancy" Laird Barron about his work Jackson blog

Finally, there will be a fund raiser held at KGB Bar July 23rd with Peter Straub, David Wellington, Jack Womack, Sarah Langan, Carrie Laben(a finalist), Jeffrey Ford, John Langan, and F. Brett Cox, and Jack Ketchum will be reading from Jackson's work. Entrance will cost $5...An actual pr release about this will be sent out soon.